BRAINSTORM OF EMPTYNESS

'Brainstorm of Emptiness', the 2nd release by Moongarden ,is a fine supplement to Progressive Rock's noble corpus of unfathomable yet somehow compelling concept albums. I cannot confidently describe the content of this particular 'concept' given that the apparently broken narrative is developed by different characters all voiced by the same singer in an occasionally incomprehensible and 'accented' style. My particular interpretation ? no doubt wrong ? is that it concerns the cyclical unfolding of abandonment, withdrawal, childhood mental disturbance, loneliness and other 'cheery' themes in which a boy's (Fritz?) memories of his father leaving and his subsequent drift into crime and institutionalisation becomes all the more poignant now that he is contemplating leaving his own child (Sonya) who in turn associates her father with the coming and going of the moon and the realisation that she must also depart those she loves....yes, the narrative is that complex and I haven't even mentioned another character, a 'witch' called Sherylyn, whose role in the plot I cannot determine. Whatever the 'correct' interpretation ? if, indeed, there is one ? it is certain that the 'story' is one of exquisite sadness, something that the music masterfully captures. This and their previous release (the aptly named 'Moonsadness') demonstrate the band's talent for evoking a melancholy mood the beauty of which becomes particularly heart-wrenching during the guitarists understated but highly effective solos. The influence of the usual 'Classic' Progressive bands, especially Genesis and Pink Floyd, is evident throughout the album although the music always retains its own distinct identity.(But isn't there a moment during the second track that is almost a complete sample lifted straight from Pink Floyd's 'Great Gig in the Sky'?) Particularly impressive is the intelligent employment of 'tone-colours' to evoke, for example, the wash of the sea or the tumult of city life. Similarly, the clever use of syncopation and unconventional time signatures effectively 'paint' the disorientation and emotional turmoil that the various characters of the narrative are obviously experiencing. Hence, 'Brainstorm of Emptiness' , without ever achieving 'greatness' is a very good piece of Progressive Rock that is well worth an attentive listen.....just keep a bottle of anti-depressants handy if you do.